L’escamoteur Bar

We came when it opened and swooped on the first seats. The bartender, Chris, was friendly and knowledgeable. I had the Shiso sour (shiso is exclusive to Japan). It was probably the best drink I’ve had. My boyfriend had the smokey old-​fashioned which Chris smoked in a glass lid… super cool to watch. Chris also mentioned that if we did not like the menu, he could create a special drink to our liking!
I highly recommend this little treasure of a bar. It’s more of a «speak easy-​ish» bar so its smaller, has some vintage looking décor, etc.
Only thing I didnt like was that sometimes the bartenders would make your drink on the other side of the bar so you would be watching someone else’s drink be make while they watch yours… weird.

Make sure to make a reservation here as this place gets pretty packed. We didn’t and were kind of SOL. We had to stand the entire time and it kinda sucks because drinks do take a bit longer since they are craft cocktails. The smoky old fashioned I had was really good as they actually use wood chips and smoke the drink. My wife had the whisky smash, which was just a standard whiskey sour without the eggwhite.
This bar seems to be pioneering the craft cocktail movement in Kyoto and I’m glad we stumbled upon this place.
4 stars.

I’ve been to a lot of major cities around the world and have drank at a lot of bars (cocktail or otherwise), but I can say without a doubt that this is my favorite bar on earth. Décor is awesome, owners/​bartenders are knowledgeable and very friendly, and the drinks are inventive and top notch. I’m from Chicago and had only a quick stop through Kyoto, but I’m seriously considering coming back to Japan just for this bar. I would give drink recommendations, but frankly every one that I tried was great. Actually, start with the S.G. Brown and go from there.

Only foreigners were there when i attended. Drinks were on the pricier side but they were all delicious. I went at a time that there was only standing room. When i went no one came to take my order but everyone else after me we greeted and given menus. The bathroom is super cool and hidden behind a bookcase!

Bar seating only, very cozy and intimate. I had to stand and wait for a spot at the bar, but once seated people started talking to me. Great vibes, friendly bartenders and very cosmopolitan crowd.

I’ve been to excellent bars in Los Angeles, Seattle, New York City, and Portland — But this is by far the best the craft cocktail bar I’ve ever been. Good vibe, nice hosts (Chris & Jo), beautiful interior design, and of course delicious drinks.
I highly recommend getting a seat at the bar if possible. Chris is very entertaining when he mixes your drink with a touch of magic.
You’ll experience all five senses when you go to this bar. Definitely would come back again the next time I go to Kyoto. Thank you Chris!

かなりオススメ！Great drink recipes, very good concept, beautifully executed. Very knowledgeable owner and staff. I enjoyed this more than the best of NYC.

Still one of my watering holes. christophe, joe, and mari, have got all the bases covered. New items on the menu this season. Look for the secret password!

If you are in kyoto and don’t stop at this bar, you just missed out on an amazing experience. The bar is amazing! Great drinks, great vibe, amazing staff. This is a most visit location in kyoto!

This was by far my best cocktail experience in Japan, and probably in the world! Chris, the bartender was incredibly welcoming and crafted some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had in my life. Some favorites were the Celine, the classic whiskey sour and the smokey old fashion.
Visiting the bar was more than just getting a drink, but became an experience. The bar’s ambience was wonderfully designed like a whimsical Alice in Wonderland meets a magician’s office. There was a swing built in to a small table, a hidden restroom, and we had the honor of catching some magic tricks from Chris himself! I was thoroughly charmed and we did not want to leave. If you must visit one bar in Japan, this is it. Put it on your list! It’s a MUST!

What can be said that hasn’t already? This bar is shit cool. The bar men are consummate professionals — friendly, knowledgable, and just a little bit quirky. The cocktails are some of the best I’ve had anywhere round the world, and the setting, well it’s pretty magical… I would absolutely recommend. Park yourself up at the bar and let the hours while themselves away!

One of the best bars I’ve been to around the world. The quirky set up (the toilet door is a book shelve!), the delicious cocktails, the location (right on the canal), the friendly service… It is an unforgettable experience !

Its wonderous and magical. I felt like a little kid in awe of Chris and Jo’s work and manner behind the bar, captivated by the presentation and taste. Super comforting and friendly, the interior design is incredibly detailed and its clear how much care and thought has been put into the whole experience of the bar.
This has easily been one of my favourite experiences in Japan so far, and the best bar I’ve ever been to.

Le soir de mon arrivée à Kyoto je me suis mis à la recherché d’un bar, les nombreux avis positifs sur Unilocal m’ont fait me diriger vers l’Escamoteur. Quelle belle surprise ! La porte d’entrée franchie vous voyagerez dans le temps et vous retrouverez dans l’échoppe d’un apothicaire. Les cocktails sont délicieux et variés. L’accueil chaleureux, sincère et les conseils avisés de Christophe et son Staff vous feront passer un moment inoubliable. L’atmosphère est magique, très agréable et cela se ressent sur la clientèle vraiment sympathique. Les mots né suffisent pas pour décrire cette expérience, il faut la vivre. Pour résumer et en ce qui me concerne l’Escamoteur fait partie de ces lieux qui font regretter d’être parti de Kyoto ou plutôt qui vous donnent une bonne raison d’y revenir ;-)

While traveling on our honeymoon in Japan, it didn’t take long to realize that Japan is definitely not a cocktail society. At least not yet. While we did come across a few decent bars, few exited us. In every country, we make it a point to hit the ‘biggies’, mostly just for fun, but usually come to regret it (think, for example, Tokyo’s New York Bar from Lost in Translation or Havana’s El Floridita — also think below average drinks, above average prices and the stiff and impersonal service you’d expect from any international hotel chain or tourist operation).
But enter L’Escamoteur, and you’ve entered another world. Nowhere have we been wowed by such creativity and dedication. We stumble in on a frigid January evening, climb a burlesque flight of stairs and find one of the most inviting, quirky and cozy drinking environments we can remember.
Tending bar our night was French owner Chris and Dubliner Joe. We urge you to not make the mistake we made and order what you think you want. Sit back, allow the staff to explain what’s special and, by all means, listen. We ditched our Old Fashioned and Cosmopolitan order (can you imagine how embarrassing?) and opted to try 6 or 7 of their masterful creations (on two different visits, mind you). Can I just say that these were some of the most delicious and inventive cocktails we’ve ever had?
If you’re lucky enough to get a seat at the bar, you can watch these guys in action. Be patient and you will be rewarded. And after you get your drink, you can still witness the making of other people’s drinks. Equally as entertaining. Chris works diligently on his version of a Smoky Old Fashioned, then, like a magician, covers it with a glass dome and out of nowhere, poof, a burst of smoke fills the dome and envelopes the cocktail in smoky goodness. We witnessed misting of Absinth’s, whipping of egg whites and drinks on fire. Some seriously interesting stuff going on here. My stand-​out was a spicy drink made from dried chili seeds, lychee liqueur, vodka, vanilla sugar and garnished with floating flecks of red chili and a cucumber stick. Just amazing. Indicate your spice level or prepare yourself. At the moment, the drink did not have a name and we spent the evening kicking around ideas (our suggestion was Flaming Lips), but whatever they decide, order it by description. But if chili or lychee is not your thing, there are so many creations to choose from. If you’re confused, just tell them to make you something. You won’t be disappointed.

Cozy little second floor speakeasy that makes some fantastic cocktails. The owners are from France and truly friendly with all the guests. If you are looking for a cool spot to hit up in Kyoto late night for a drink, look no further.

This felt like a speak-​easy style bar in Seattle or New York City. Eclectic style in a low-​lit atmosphere with friendly staff and music to fit the mood. You may not have heard of all the drinks they will make before your eyes, but you’ll like them. I came alone, met a cool couple from San Francisco, and stayed for three drinks even though I planned for one. If you’re a westerner or Japanese and want a world-​class bar experience, check this out.

They have a full array of cocktails, both classics and house specials. They also have nicer whiskeys and scotch. If you’re taking it a bit easier, they also have draft beer. The atmosphere is cozy, but vibrant. It reminds me of the speakeasys of Brooklyn and San Francisco.

The vibe of this place is chill and cosy, and Chris is an amazing host who makes wonderful cocktails like the shiso sour and the Balthazar. Absolutely fantastic experience and a hidden gem in Kyoto for both local and tourists!

This place is amazing!!! A nice beak from the same and beer scene. Bar tenders are nice and craft cocktails are amazing. This s a must visit.

Having made Kyoto my second home i began my search for a place to quench my soul. What I found was something much more than I expected.
I remember as a child I often played in my backyard building castles and forts out of sticks and leaves; letting my imagination take me along to many adventures. Walking into L’esca was a nostalgic back to my childhood. Christophe, the owner, began his journey as a magician and created a bar that aimed to please your curiosity rather than just your thirst. The 100+ year old building was transformed into something uniquely different but strangely yet still Genuinely Kyoto. To try to describe the ambiance would not do it justice.
Cristophe has taken the skills and dedication to become a world class magician and directed that energy in crafting some of the best tasting cocktails in all the cities I’ve traveled to. Below are some of my favorites.
1)brandy alexander
2) gin fizz
3) bloody mary
4) old fashion
5) old flame
It’s hard enough to find a decent cocktail in a city, but Christophe has exceeded my expectations 10fold in what a bar be.

Am staying in the area and was checking Unilocal for nearby bars — SO glad we tried this place out. Not just a «bar» but definitely an experience. From the décor, cool music to the excellent cocktails and service, the overall ambience is just to die for.
The bar was full when we arrived so we were sat at the table with the swings… yes, swings! :) so charming. Wasn’t more than 5 minutes until we were able to move to the bar and order our drinks from Chris (More on him in a moment). An old fashioned for me and a whiskey sour for my boyfriend. Both superb! Second round was Chris’ other version of the old fashioned with elderflower — divine! Third was bartender’s choice, a whiskey smash, which was the perfect end note.
Throughout our night, Chris was so friendly and warm, offering tips on what Kyoto sights to see (and more importantly what was ok to miss). Chatting with and watching him work was a delight! He provided a much needed break from the constant confusion of trying to communicate in Japanese (I’m completely lost but my boyfriend speaks/understands…minimally). Towards the end of the night, Chris was gracious enough to perform some magic! Everyone gathered around for the cool card tricks that truly wowed. Made out last night in Kyoto so special and memorable!

Anyone who is travelling to Kyoto must come here for a drink! Chris is amazing and he’s really is a magician! He did a couple of tricks for us as people were sipping on their drinks. Chris really listens to what you like when you have to decide on a drink. He’s french, but he also speaks English for anyone who is limited with Japanese. Also, the bathroom is hidden behind a bookshelf, which is so cool!

I just dropped by this bar based upon Unilocal’s review. Yes, Unilocal’s review is correct. The atmosphere was good. Regret to say, I came here alone, and I could not sit on at the counter but on the couch. I didn’t talk anyone so I felt lonely little bit. But I felt relax.

As a fellow mixer it’s always a bit of a challenge to get really really excited about a bar! And I am happy to say that I am very very excited about this bar!
Chris has done an absolutely amazing job with this place.
First the décor: I love a bit of whacky and here is enough to satisfy every silly bone in my body. From the hanging chairs to the bicycle rope birdcage contraption to the hidden toilet I was pleased to let my eyes wander and discover all the small and large nuisances. It’s the kind of homely interesting bar that you could easily lose yourself in for hours at a time.
Now the service. Chris is all that you want in a great mixologist. Happy to talk and joke, explain his philosophy on life and cocktails, listen to your stories and be entertaining and present the whole time. He is the epitome of a great host and genuinely cares about giving a great experience.
Now to the cocktails. Chris is doing a great job of what he is passionate about i.e. Classic cocktails done well! (It’s really heartwarming to see a whisky sour done correctly that’s all I’m saying!) He has a nice mix of classics and his own creations and his spirit selection is very decent.
In this throw away, fast food society it’s refreshing to see someone who really cares about what he is doing and takes his time to do it. (Even though it might be tempting to rush through when you have 4 – 5 checks on.) I like the touch of putting the bottles of what he’s using on the bar so you can see exactly what ingredients he uses. Nice touch and something I might just steal in the future!
I have only one small complaint though: it’s quite a long trip from my home in Vienna to Kyoto and unfortunately for this reason it cannot be my «local bar.» If not I would probably become a part of the furniture!!!

Wow! The refined ambiance, friendly and professional service and extreme attention to detail combine to make L’Escamoteur a truly one of a kind cocktail bar. Centrally located in the heart of Kyoto on Kiyamachi-​dori, just South of Shijo, L’Escamoteur is easy to find due to its red brick façade on the left side as you descend from Shijo-​dori. The proprietor is a French magician who has lived in Kyoto for years, and is as polite as he is amicable. Hard to find liqueurs, top shelf liquors, and fresh fruits and herbs abound, as is evidenced particularly when someone orders a Basil Smash, one of l’Escamoteur’s signature cocktails, and a sweet basil aroma fills the well appointed bar.

This bar is just an awesome, hidden treasure in Kyoto and not to be missed if you like decent cocktails and an international crowd.
Make sure to arrive early-​ish (we were there at 8.30pm and were lucky to grab a seat at the bar), it will get quite busy and the place is not too big.
Chris, the owner, is as special as his drinks; he is happy to engage in small talk while making and shaking his cocktails.
I am so glad that we had this magical experience on our last night in Kyoto and wish, that Chris´ bar would be around where I live :)
P.s: try and find the loo…

WOW WOW WOW!
What a treat it was to find this place among all the crappy, watered down, juicy juice cocktails in Japan. I mean… it doesn’t get better than this. This place is world class all the way and I’ve been to some pretty amazing bars.
This kicks the ass of the famous Patterson House in Nashville and all the trendy places in Miami. I don’t know the owner’s name, but shout out to French dude for hooking it up with the most AWESOME concoctions and for being funny and personable. The décor and ambience are also on point! I love me a speakeasy dark bar with quirky decorations. I can’t say enough good things! RUN to this place and enjoy some amazing libations.
CHEEEEEERS!

What a whimsical little bar in the middle of Kyoto! It’s almost like walking into the set of an Audrey Tautou movie.
The owner is a French magician and super friendly and helpful. I tried absinth for the first time here and it was quite the show. I also had the basil smash, which the owner recommended. My husband liked his Manhattan and Moscow mule.

Very good and interesting cocktails all around. The owner is French and definitely has a few magic up his sleeve. I’ve drank some of the best cocktails in this cosy bar. Very friendly atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.

Amazing cocktails, dazzling décor and special service!
A magical atmosphere with great music.
One should definitively look for the bathroom, quite a surprise there too…
Highly recommended!

We discovered this jewel of a bar exploring along the river. Being foreigners we were inclined to seek out authentically Japanese experiences, but were compelled to see what L’Escamoteur had to offer. As soon as we climbed the stairs we could see the care the proprietors took to build a loft of wonders. The alchemists here craft marvelous concoctions. I cannot recommend it enough!
If you are in the mood for something special, spend an evening at L’Escamoteur.

Where do I start with this review, apart from saying Chris and Vincent are two of the nicest people you will meet.
On the night we dropped by we were chasing an after dinner bar with great drinks, atmosphere and quality service. The two guys delivered and more. When you walk in to this french inspired cosy bar, you’re transported to a euro-​japanese smash which feels like home and nothing is too much, every request is catered for.
The drinks are as described, with no cheap mixers, everything is made from scratch, which to me is a sign of true quality. I can highly recommend the old fashion for one or seven. Order from the menu and your expectations will be met and some.
Throw in some of Chris’s magic and you have a touch of Europe in the Far East! 5 stars!
P.s Look out for the toilet behind the cupboard it’s awesome!